Blanche DuBois: A Streetcar Named Desire- Tennessee Williams

Costume Designer: Lucy Fielden
Costume Supervisor: Joao Cordeiro
Model: Caitlin Clarke
January 2020

For their final project for their costume module at uni, Joao and Lucy were asked to create design plates for a show of their choice, then pick on plate to use as their final detailed design; the designs would then be swapped over and the other person would be creating the costume from their design. The finished costumes were then displayed in an exhibition by the designer.

Lucy chose to design for the 1940s play A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, and chose to do her final design plate on character Blanche DuBois in scene 10. 

Blanche DuBois is a troubled character with a lot of dirty secrets hidden by a mask of faded wealth and worn expensive clothes.

Lucy aimed to capture this by designing a 1930s inspired evening gown, that was broken down and ruined, going with the concept of 'reality vs fantasy', showing that although Blanche was once an elegant, rich lady, she is now broken and damaged, which is reflected in her dress.

Joao managed to realise this concept perfectly, creating a beautiful satin evening gown, complete with a netted fishtail bottom, and then broke it down to look worn and dirty - matching the design exactly!

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